Get ready for Cloquet's Home for the Holidays

Once again, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special trip to Cloquet for a little pre-Christmas party, aka the annual Santa's Home for the Holidays community celebration.

It's three days of fun - Dec. 5-7 - courtesy of a wide range of local businesses, organizations and the city of Cloquet.

"This little celebration just keeps growing," said co-coordinator Jana Peterson. "It's really special because so many people collaborate to get our community together for some winter fun."

Make a plan while you check out a shortened schedule of events below.

THURSDAY, DEC. 5

Send a letter to Santa

Submit a letter to Santa, enjoy a holiday cookie and enter for a holiday drawing 3-5 pm at Members Cooperative Credit Union, 1299 Highway 33 South.

Free Chili feed

Enjoy a free chili feed 4:30-6:30 pm at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 515 Skyline Blvd., sponsored by the Cloquet and Fond du Lac police departments.

Storytime with Santa

Cloquet Public Library, 320 14th St., will have a free open house 4-6 p.m., featuring storytime with Santa at 4:30 p.m. plus cookie decorating and holiday crafts.

FRIDAY, DEC. 6

Photos with Santa, shopping and dinner

Queen of Peace Catholic Church will again host a spaghetti dinner with Santa 4:30-6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 7

Churchill Holiday Expo and Craft Fair, pancake breakfast

The massive Holiday Expo and Craft Fair at Churchill Elementary School, 515 Granite St., features over 100 vendors and crafters selling throughout the school from 9 am. to 3 pm.

Pet pictures with Santa

Get your dog or cat's picture with Santa from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cloquet Animal Hospital, 122 Second Street. Cost is $15, digital photos only.

Spread the Warmth

Community Memorial Hospital and Raiter Clinic will give away coats (youth and adult sizes), hats and gloves free at Spread the Warmth from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Raiter Clinic lobby, 417 Skyline Blvd. All are welcome.

Sales and Food

• Annual holiday bazaar 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1000 Washington Ave.

• Country store and holiday sale 9-11 a.m., plus BBQ lunch grab-and-go style 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 515 Skyline Blvd.

• The Cloquet American Legion will sell baked goods and coneys, and hold a silent auction from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cloquet VFW, 210 Arch St.

Wood City Motors holiday event

Head over to Wood City Motors, Washington Avenue and Highway 33, between 1 and 4 pm for free magic shows at 1:30 and 3 p.m., along with Christmas cookies to decorate and eat.

History, crafts and a singalong

The Carlton County Historical Society invites visitors of all ages to tour the museum at 406 Cloquet Ave. 2-4:30 p.m. Make holiday crafts and sing along to Christmas carols on the new piano.

Fire rings and s'mores

Before the parade, enjoy free s'mores outside the fire station at 508 Cloquet Ave. 4-5 p.m.

Parade and fireworks

The Santa's Home for the Holidays parade starts at 5 p.m. (lineup starts at 4 p.m. on Cloquet Avenue east of 18th St.) and travels down Cloquet Avenue from 18th to 8th streets. Dress for the weather. Hang around and enjoy FIREWORKS over downtown Cloquet and Veterans Park immediately following the parade. Questions? Email [email protected].

Contact Ivan Hohnstadt at 218-391-3696 or Jana Peterson at 218-213-1231 for more information, or check out the Santa's Home for the Holidays page on Facebook.